Knowing the Difference: What Your Tuition Fees Pay For and What They Don’t

Find out what the costs associated with your university education that will be covered by your tuition fees, as well as what the costs that your maintenance loan will assist you in covering, will be.

What exactly your tuition money goes for.

Your tuition fees, which can reach a maximum of £9,250 per year, will cover everything that your university ought to properly supply in order to allow you to earn your degree successfully.

But in what specific ways does that consist?

There will be lectures, tutorials, and seminars.

Seminars and tutorials are held in much smaller groups and provide you the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions much more easily than you would be able to in a lecture, which could have as many as two hundred people in attendance.

You may spend some of your time in labs or other practical locations that feature specialised equipment and facilities, but this will depend on the course that you are taking.

Additionally, a personal tutor from your department will be designated for you, and you will often have some one-on-one visits with that tutor to discuss your academic progress, future assignments, and other topics.

The hours of contact

The amount of the tuition price that you will be required to pay does not change from course to course; however, the quantity of contact time that you can anticipate having with your lecturers and tutors is likely to change.

Other courses, such as English or history, may have around six to eight hours of teaching time per week with an emphasis on a large amount of independent reading and study. This contrasts with other courses, such as medicine, which will involve intensive teaching throughout the entire day and a full weekly timetable.

The library of the university

When attending an open day at a university, it is in your best interest to stop by the library (or libraries), as you may find that you spend a significant amount of time there (particularly during exam and deadline season).

Inquire about any unique books or materials the library has that are related to the subject of your class. It is also important to inquire as to how much content can be downloaded for free or printed out from the internet.

Access to a computer

Through the use of your university’s or college’s intranet, you will most likely turn in your homework and other course-related work.

Access to computer and printing facilities can always come in handy if you run into technical difficulties, such as running out of ink. Even though you will usually have your own laptop to write and research things, having access to these facilities can be quite helpful.

Ask on a day when the campus is open to the public where the computer facilities are located (are they close by, within, or miles away from your halls of residence? Are they in the library? Are they in a distinct building?) and at what times they are available to customers.

Be on the lookout for long lines if you go to a location where there are currently enrolled students present; this may be an indication that there are not sufficient facilities to accommodate the students.

In the future, when you’re up against a strict deadline, you could be thankful that you did it.

Student support services

Your institution will also be there to provide assistance and support whenever it is required, supporting you with things like locating suitable housing, providing professional counsel regarding vocations, or providing assistance if you are having financial difficulties.

It’s possible that the level of connectivity that your university has with local businesses, charities, and other organisations will come as a pleasant surprise to you.

You are not the only one going through this, so take use of these resources if you find yourself in need of them.

Students’ union

Students’ unions are not only there to provide a cheap place to drink and fantastic clubs and societies, but also to advocate on their members’ behalf and ensure that universities take into account the perspectives of their student body.

Your membership dues and entrance fees to university- or union-operated athletic facilities might already be covered by your tuition costs.

Admin

In addition to covering the cost of instruction, the administrative work and organisation that occurs behind the scenes at your university are also covered by your tuition payments.

This may involve registering for your class, gaining access to your examinations, and even graduating from the programme (although you will need to pay for your graduation robes and photo individually).

What your tuition won’t pay for and other related costs

When thinking about going to university, what other considerations do you need to take into account?

We have provided a list of some of the more frequent course charges that you may be required to pay out of pocket for, as well as some suggestions on how to pay for these costs in the event that your student loan won’t go quite far enough.

Books necessary for your class

In each of your classes, there will be required reading material, also known as core materials, that you are expected to have.

The cost can range from a classic novel for an English literature class, which should be very inexpensive, all the way up to weighty textbooks for disciplines like law or physics. The pricing can vary greatly depending on the subject matter.

You might be able to buy some of the books used from former students who no longer require them; however, you must ensure that you get the correct edition of each book (second-hand copies may no longer be up to date).

There are also buy-back programmes offered by many educational institutions, including universities and colleges, through which you can sell outdated books that you no longer require.

You should also be able to borrow books from the library; but, around the times when essay deadlines or exams are approaching, these will be in high demand; therefore, you will either need to be quick off the mark or have already obtained the books in advance.

And remember to be considerate of your other students by returning any books that you have completed reading as soon as possible rather than keeping them for any longer than necessary.

Course-specific equipment

In addition to the standard stationery, it is possible that there will be additional things, such as equipment and apparel, that you will need to purchase for your particular course.

Expenses differ from one degree to the next; for example, those majoring in fashion will need to purchase fabric and sketchbooks, those studying medicine will need stethoscopes and lab coats, and those studying radio journalism will need recording equipment.

The expense of printing

When you start classes at a university, they will typically provide you some printer credit to get you started. However, once that credit is gone, you will be responsible for paying for your own printing and photocopying.

The average cost to print or photocopy a page in black and white is approximately 5 pence, while the cost to print or photocopy in colour is approximately 25 pence; these charges can mount up quickly.

Because it is more convenient and less expensive, many students end up purchasing their own own printer.

You can obtain a decent printer for approximately fifty pounds, but you need to remember to factor in the frequently exorbitant cost of printer ink while making your purchase decision.

Educational outings

Check to see if you’ll need to make a contribution towards any mandatory trips away – you’ll encounter them when you’re in the research stage for university. These may or may not be covered by your tuition fees. Check to see if you’ll need to make a contribution towards any mandatory excursions away.

Some educational institutions, such universities and colleges, will provide more coverage than others.

Your own own pc laptop.

Although every university and college will have access to information technology resources, having your own computer will make conducting research and completing tasks much simpler (as well as to watch Netflix and YouTube for hours on end).

Depending on the requirements of your degree program—for example, if you are studying graphic design or a degree that is related to information technology—you may be required to purchase specialised hardware or software.

Placements for gaining work experience

Many degrees, including those in medicine and education, require students to complete internships or practicums as part of their curriculum so that they can gain practical experience.

Even though you may have some say in where you are placed, there is no guarantee that it will be close by, and the cost of daily travel can add up quickly, even if you can get there by bus or train. Although you may have some say in where you are placed, there is no guarantee that it will be close by (especially for medical students working shifts where you might need your own transport).

Keep in mind that even if you are on placement, it is possible that you will still be required to pay tuition fees to the university in which you are enrolled.

If you don’t have any further queries, you could try asking at an open day.

Placements are not required for other courses; however, employers look favourably on students who have some experience working in the field that they intend to pursue after graduation.

During the summer months, many students decide to get valuable work experience by participating in internships. Some businesses provide financial compensation, while others will reimburse employees for acceptable out-of-pocket expenses, such as local travel and meals.

‘Hidden’ costs

You might be astonished to learn that your fees do not cover the multitude of other charges that are incurred.

According to research conducted by the National Union of Students (NUS), certain university and college programmes will not include extras such as membership in specialist associations, entrance into professionally accredited exams, the ability to take retakes, or CRB checks in the cost of their degrees.

Non-course costs

Your day-to-day living costs include things like lodging, food, personal care items, clothing, transportation, and entertainment, among other things.

Utilize our totally free student budget calculator to determine how much money you will require to maintain your current standard of living while attending college.

How can I lower my overall costs at the university?

Rest assured that none of this will be demanded of you to be paid for out of your own personal funds.

While the tuition fee component of your student loan will pay for your fees, the maintenance portion of your student loan is intended to assist you in paying for other expenses. The amount that you receive will be based on the total income of your household.

You won’t be required to start making payments on this until after you have received your degree and are earning more than a predetermined amount.

You should also investigate whether or not you are qualified to receive a bursary or scholarship, which might help cover some of your living expenses (and in some cases, some or even all of your tuition fees).

Because the specifics of what is offered, who is eligible to get it, and how to apply differ from institution to institution, it is in your best interest to make direct contact with them in order to obtain additional information.